Does bovine besnoitiosis affect the sexual function of chronically infected bulls?

Bovine besnoitiosis is a reemerging disease in Europe. The clinically Besnoitia besnoiti infection in bulls is characterized by fever, nasal discharge, and orchitis in the acute phase and by scleroderma in the chronic phase. However, in many bulls, B besnoiti infection remains at a subclinical stage. Bull infertility is an economically relevant consequence of besnoitiosis infection. It is not clear, however, if semen quality returns to normal levels when infected animals have clinically recovered. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between chronic besnoitiosis and bull sexual function in a region of eastern France, where the disease is reemerging, by comparing semen quality and genital lesions in 11 uninfected, 17 subclinically infected, and 12 clinically infected bulls. The presence of anti-B besnoiti antibodies was detected by Western blot test. Semen was collected by electroejaculation. Bulls clinically infected with B besnoiti showed significantly more genital tract alterations than uninfected or subclinically infected bulls. No relationship was evidenced between besnoitiosis infectious status and semen quality, whereas a significant relationship was noted between genital lesions and semen score. This means that in the absence of moderate to severe genital lesions, chronic bovine besnoitiosis is unlikely to alter semen quality. However, as the presence of infected animals could lead to spread of the disease, culling or separation of clinically infected bulls from the remaining healthy animals is strongly recommended.

Region of birth, sex, and agricultural work of immigrant Latino farm workers: the MICASA study.

Agricultural work is hazardous, and immigrant workers perform the majority of production tasks, yet there are few data describing agricultural work and use of protective measures by demographic characteristics. We examined cross-sectionally the influence of region of birth (Mexico vs. Central America) and sex on agricultural work and use of protective measures in the MICASA cohort of immigrant Latino farm workers in Mendota, California. Of 445 participants, 293 (65.8%) were born in Mexico (163 men, 130 women) and 152 (34.2%) were born in Central America (80 men, 72 women). Men worked on average 74.4 more days than women (95% CI 62.0, 86.9) and were more likely to perform tasks requiring high levels of training or strength, such as machine operation, pruning, picking, planting, and irrigation; more likely to work in dusty conditions; and more likely to work directly with pesticides. Women predominated in packing. Respondents from Mexico were more likely to work with tomatoes and less likely to work with melon and lettuce. Central America-born respondents were less likely to engage in planting, irrigation, and pesticide use. Use of task-appropriate personal protective measures on at least a half-time basis was rare, with the exception of persons working with pesticides (a group limited to men) and for facial scarves among Central American women. Further work should focus on identifying barriers to use of preventive measures and programs to further their use. Educational models accounting for cultural factors and driving social norm change, employer engagement, and use of community health workers (promotores) may be helpful in promoting use of preventive measures.

No detection of Besnoitia besnoiti DNA in the semen of chronically infected bulls.

Bovine besnoitiosis is a chronic and debilitating disease observed in many European countries that may cause important economic losses in cattle. The recent widespread of the parasite in Europe had led the European Food Safety Authority to declare bovine besnoitiosis as a re-emerging disease in Europe. Many aspects of the epidemiology of bovine besnoitiosis such as the main routes of transmission are still unclear and need to be further studied. Among the different hypotheses, a sexual transmission has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Besnoitia besnoiti DNA in the semen of naturally infected bulls by using a highly sensitive method (real-time qPCR). Both pre-sperm and sperm fractions of 40 bulls, including seronegative (n = 11), seropositive subclinically (n = 17), and seropositive clinically (n = 12) infected animals, were collected by electroejaculation and analyzed by real-time qPCR. No B. besnoiti DNA was detected in 27 pre-sperm and 28 sperm fractions of the 40 examined bulls, suggesting that the transmission of B. besnoiti infection by the semen of chronically infected bulls is very unlikely.

Factors associated with agricultural work performed by adolescents from an immigrant farm worker population (MICASA study).

UNLABELLED: While studies have looked at the relationship of adolescent employment with health outcomes and risk behaviors, few have focused on children of hired farm workers. These children face unique challenges affecting their health and work environment. Exploring the frequency and nature of agricultural work characteristics among adolescent children of Hispanic hired farm workers is important for assessing the potential risks they face. METHODS: MICASA is a population-based study of settled immigrant Hispanic farm working families in Mendota, California. We selected a cross-sectional random sample of adolescents (ages 11 to 18). Interviews assessed work history, place of birth, and acculturation. RESULTS: 38% of participants were female and 62% were male; 55% were born in the U.S., 38% in Mexico, and 7% in El Salvador; and 49% worked for pay during the last year. Among those who worked, farm work was most frequently reported (73.5%). Among those who had done farm work, the mean age at initiation was 14 years, and they worked a mean of 4.3 weeks during the previous year. Hoeing, picking, and packing/sorting were the most common tasks. In models adjusted for age and sex, low-acculturated adolescents were more likely than moderately acculturated to have worked in the past 12 months, to start work younger than age 14 years, and to do farm work. SIGNIFICANCE: Farm work is common among adolescents in this Hispanic agricultural community and is strongly associated with foreign birth and low acculturation.

Engaging a hard-to-reach population in research: sampling and recruitment of hired farm workers in the MICASA study.

Hired farm workers provide the majority of the workforce for California's labor-intensive agricultural sector Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations, but there has been little research into the etiology of poor health outcomes that occur disproportionately in hired farm worker populations. MICASA is a cohort investigation of occupational and environmental health risks in hired farm worker households in Mendota, California, that employed a two-stage sampling process, including random selection of census blocks and door-to-door enumeration. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the success of the sampling process and compare demographics of the enumerated population to other regional samples of Latino populations. In the enumeration, 1257 addresses were mapped and 729 hired farm worker households were enumerated. Findings showed no significant differences between the enumerated population and the resulting MICASA study sample; however, the MICASA population was more likely to be male, from Central America, work in agriculture, and have fewer years residency in the U.S. than California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) respondents. Additionally, 9.4% of the enumerated dwellings were back houses or unofficial dwellings and may have been missed by the U.S. Census 2000. Demographic comparisons between the enumerated population, census data, and CHIS data highlight the differences in these sampling methods and suggest possible demographic changes in hired farm workers in California. While difficulties in accessing hired farm workers often account for the lack of population-based research, the MICASA cohort provides an opportunity to examine occupational health patterns relevant to other farm worker populations.

Competition between antiferromagnetism and superconductivity in high-Tc cuprates.

Using variational cluster perturbation theory we study the competition between d-wave superconductivity (dSC) and antiferromagnetism (AF) in the t-t(')-t('')-U Hubbard model. Large scale computer calculations reproduce the overall ground-state phase diagram of the high-temperature superconductors as well as the one-particle excitation spectra for both hole and electron doping. We identify clear signatures of the Mott gap as well as of AF and of dSC that should be observable in photoemission experiments.

Interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein is constitutively expressed in human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is one of the principal cytokines that participate in endocrine and local regulation of many endometrial and reproductive functions. The cellular response to IL-1 principally implicates receptor type 1 (IL-1R tI) and, according to recent data, an accessory protein (IL-1R-AcP) that seems to play an essential function in signal transduction. In the present study, we examined the expression of IL-1R-AcP in the endometrium of 39 normal fertile women throughout the menstrual cycle. As studied by immunohistochemistry, IL-1R-AcP was detected across endometrial tissue, but more noticeably in the glands and luminal epithelium. The intensity of IL-1R-AcP immunostaining was consistently high throughout the menstrual cycle, and this was confirmed by Western blot analysis of the protein and corroborated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of the mRNA. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that IL-1R-AcP is expressed in endometrial tissue, and without any noticeable variation throughout the menstrual cycle. This suggests that the accessory protein, whose co-expression is critical for IL-1R tI-mediated cell activation, is, in contrast to the functional receptor, constitutively expressed and not subject to similar cycle-dependent regulation.

Immunohistochemical localization of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in the eutopic endometrium and in endometriotic lesions. DESIGN: Retrospective immunohistochemical study. PATIENT(S): Twenty-five normal women and 39 women with endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Endometrial and endometriotic tissue biopsies obtained at laparoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of IGFBP-3 assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULT(S): In the endometrium, positive immunostaining of IGFBP-3 was observed both in the stroma and the epithelial glands. The intensity of staining in the glands during the secretory phase was significantly higher in women with endometriosis compared with controls (P = .018). An increased expression of IGFBP-3 over controls was found in stages I and II of the disease (P = .018), whereas in stages III and IV, the difference between controls and women with endometriosis was not significant (P = .300). In endometriotic tissues, a much-marked immunostaining of IGFBP-3 was noted in 90% of the glands and 67% of the stroma without apparent differences related to cycle phase. CONCLUSION(S): These data show intense staining of IGFBP-3 in endometriosis lesions and increased expression of the protein in the endometrium of patients with endometriosis compared to controls. This marked expression of IGFBP-3 could be related to its previous finding in the peritoneal fluid and to its potential involvement in the pathophysiology of endometriosis.

[Antioxidants, prostaglandins and prematurity]. / Anti-oxydants, prostaglandines et prématurité.

Preterm labor could have very bad consequences for the new-born. Every method which maintain pregnancy till term deserves to be analyzed. Such an analysis could throw a light on the process of parturition and open therapeutic possibilities against prematurity. Once a food-stuff antioxidant, Diphenyl-p-Phenylene-Diamine (DPPD) given to pregnant rats, delays or prevents parturition. We confirm the results of Oser. The daily dose of 20 mg from the 17th day of pregnancy upsets parturition. If injected from the 14th day, the parturition never occurs on time. Under the same circumstances (from the 14th day) the daily dose of 40 mg, more effective than 20 or 30 mg prolongs the pregnancy duration, causes fetal resorptions and often prevents birth of living fetuses. 200 micrograms of prostaglandin F2 alpha given on the 21st day almost totally cancel the very toxic action of 40 mg of DPPD which has been injected daily from the 14th day. When an antioxidant lengthens the pregnancy duration of rats, prostaglandin F2 alpha reestablish parturition. Thus the parturition delaying action of an antioxidant may be stymied by prostaglandin F2 alpha. This delaying action might be due to an inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandin. If applied against the threat of preterm birth, it will be necessary to test the innocuity, at the doses used, of the selected antioxidant and the absence of side effects for the mother and fetus.

Vascugraft polyurethane arterial prosthesis as femoro-popliteal and femoro-peroneal bypasses in humans: pathological, structural and chemical analyses of four excised grafts.

Following positive results obtained in in vitro studies and in vivo implantations in animals, a clinical trial using the Vascugraft polyurethane arterial prosthesis as a below-knee substitute was undertaken in 15 patients. Eight grafts became occluded during the first year, and segments from four of them were explanted and made available for pathological, structural and chemical investigations. The implantation periods ranged from 21 to 358 days. Failures were associated with kinking (one case), possible anastomotic mismatch between the graft and the artery (one case), and poor run-off (two cases). No organized collagenous internal encapsulation was noted; however, endothelial-like cells were observed at the anastomotic site of one graft. No significant structural degradation of the prostheses was observed in those grafts implanted for 21, 38 and 46 days. Some deteriorations in the fibrous structure were observed on the external surface of the prosthesis implanted for 358 days. High-resolution carbon C1s analysis by ESCA demonstrated a 60 to 80% decrease in carbonate content on the surface of all explanted prostheses. Chemical analyses of each polyurethane graft by IR, SEC and DSC revealed no significant chemical changes. The clinical performance of the Vascugraft prosthesis for below-knee implantation proved to be no more impressive than that of expanded polytetrafluorethylene, the currently accepted reference. The decision by B. Braun Melsungen AG to end this program is therefore to be regarded as highly professional.

Can collagen impregnated polyester arterial prostheses be recommended as small diameter blood conduits?

A collagen impregnated graft and its parent preclotted prosthesis were implanted as thoraco-abdominal bypasses in dogs for periods ranging from 4 hr to 6 months and evaluated for their ease of handling, imperviousness, and healing behavior in terms of luminal surface thrombogenicity using labeled platelets and fibrinogen, prostacyclin (PGI2) secretion, histomorphometric determination of internal capsule thickness, and histopathologic and scanning electron microscopic studies. The collagen impregnated graft was impervious to blood and both grafts showed excellent handling characteristics. Fibrin uptake was negligible on both grafts; however, platelet uptake was higher on the collagen impregnated graft than on the control graft at 4 and 24 hr. The healing behavior of the collagen impregnated graft was also found to be different than that of the control graft between 1 and 6 months post implantation. The development of a host collagenous internal capsule at the anastomoses, and a confluent endothelial lining, was observed in both grafts at 1 month; in later implantation periods, the healing of the medial region was found to be more irregular in the collagen impregnated grafts, showing a lower mean PGI2 secretion than the preclotted control grafts. Histomorphometric analysis showed the internal capsule on the collagen impregnated grafts to be thicker than on the control grafts for most periods of implantation. The current study illustrates that the healing process of collagen impregnated grafts is delayed and that bovine collagen has a stimulating effect on tissue encapsulation. Current impregnated polyester arterial prostheses therefore cannot be recommended as small diameter blood conduits.

An albumin-coated polyester arterial graft: in vivo assessment of biocompatibility and healing characteristics.

The albumin-coated vascular graft (ACG) and its uncoated polyester substrate, the Vascular II (V-II), were evaluated in terms of biocompatibility and biofunctionality using two in vivo animal studies. Biocompatibility and immunoreactivity were assessed by implanting intraperitoneally in the rat small segments of the ACG and the V-II graft and harvesting them with their surrounding tissue 3d, 1, 2 and 4 weeks later. Cytofluorometric determination of total T cells (CD3), the ratio of CD4/CD8 subsets and the percentage of IL-2 receptor-positive T cells in the peripheral blood has revealed that no significant difference in any of the T cell populations was found between the ACG and the V-II graft. The cellular reactivity of the ACG in terms of acid phosphatase activity at the implant side was significantly greater at 3 d but not at longer periods. Biofunctionality was evaluated by implanting both grafts as a thoracoabdominal vascular bypass in dogs for 11 different periods ranging from 4 h to 6 months. The rate of albumin resorption was such that traces were still present at 1 month, but no longer observable at 2 months. Tissue incorporation into the graft wall was earlier for the V-II (2 weeks) than for the ACG (4 weeks), which showed complete encapsulation, tissue incorporation and endothelialization after 2 months in vivo. Only small differences were observed between both grafts in terms of platelet and fibrin uptake on the luminal surface. The prostacyclin/thromboxane A2 ratio increased to a level higher that 1.0 aorta within 1 month for the V-II and 4 months for the ACG. In conclusion, the Bard ACG has demonstrated excellent biocompatibility in terms of blood T cell behaviour and acid phosphatase activity at the implant site. Finally, its healing response is equivalent to that of the uncoated Dacron prosthesis once the albumin coating has been resorbed.

Carbodiimide cross-linked gelatin: a new coating for porous polyester arterial prostheses.

The performance of a polyester arterial prosthesis impregnated with gelatin and cross-linked with carbodiimide (Uni-graft) was compared with its porous parent graft (Protegraft) using a canine thoraco-abdominal bypass model. The grafts were investigated in terms of their handling characteristics, imperviousness at implantation, surface thrombogenicity and healing behaviour. Prostheses 30 cm in length were implanted for the following periods: 4, 24 and 48 h, 1, 2 and 4 weeks, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 months. Both types of graft had good handling characteristics. The ready-to-use impregnated graft provided satisfactory haemostasis at implantation with no blood permeating through the wall after flow was restored. Both grafts exhibited low surface thrombogenicity, as determined by the uptake of labelled fibrin and platelets, and the healing sequence of the impregnated graft after resorption of the gelatin was equivalent to that of the preclotted control. Biodegradation of the gelatin was complete within 1 month of implantation with the subsequent development of a collagenous internal capsule at both anastomoses. Endothelial cells were observed between 4 and 6 months, but were confined to small islets distributed along the luminal surface. The prostacyclin/thromboxane A2 (PGI2/TXA2) ratio, which gives an indication of the level of endothelial cell activity, was greater than 1.0 after 1 week of implantation for the control graft. For the impregnated graft it reached 1.0 only after 3 months of implantation, but remained above 1.0 for periods of up to 6 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased immunohistochemical expression of neutral metalloendopeptidase (enkephalinase; EC 3.4.24.11) in villi of the human placenta with pre-eclampsia.

The purpose of this study was to identify the presence of placental neutral metalloendopeptidase (NEP; enkephalinase; EC 3.4.24.11) in human normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancy. The localization of NEP in placentae from normotensive, chronic hypertensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies was carried out on fresh frozen tissues by using a monoclonal primary antibody developed against human common acute lymphoblastic leukaemia antigen (CD10) together with the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. In placentae from normotensive, chronic hypertensive and superimposed pre-eclamptic pregnancies, intense staining was found in the extravillous trophoblast, and also in fibroblasts of the chorionic plate and stem villi. Light to moderate staining was noted in the villous-associated trophoblast and in some cells from the villous core. In cases of pre-eclampsia, very intense staining was detected not only on the surface, but also in the cytoplasm of the villous-associated trophoblast. The increased expression of placental NEP in pre-eclampsia suggests that this enzyme may be involved in the regulation of the local concentration of circulating biologically active peptides at the fetomaternal interface, and thus could be implicated in the pathophysiological changes of this syndrome.

The influence of the number of endoclips and of mesh incorporation on the strength of an experimental hernia patch repair.

The strength conferred to a mesh by fixing it with laparoscopic staples and the effects of tissue incorporation have never been quantified. Eighteen dogs were divided into three groups sacrificed at 2 days (5 dogs), 2 weeks (6 dogs), and 2 months (7 dogs). One 3.5- by 5-cm piece of abdominal wall was removed from each side through a median laparotomy, leaving the skin intact. A polypropylene mesh (5 by 7 cm) was fixed over one defect with four Endopath EMS staples (Ethicon Endo-surgery) and over the other with 16 EMS staples. At sacrifice, bursting strength (BS) was measured with an Instron tester and specimens were studied histologically. One-way analysis of variance and the Newmann-Keuls multiple-comparison test were used. BS tests showed that for each period studied, the strength of the repair performed with 16 staples was significantly higher than that obtained when four staples were applied. They also showed that tensile strength increased significantly in both groups as time elapsed. Light microscopy supported the conclusion that the initial strength of the repair was related to the number of clips and was significantly increased by cellular infiltration at 2 weeks and significantly more by collagen deposition at 2 months. At 2 months, BS was significantly higher in the 16-staples group, suggesting that initial fixation still plays a significant role.

In vivo performance of the polyesterurethane Vascugraft prosthesis implanted as a thoraco-abdominal bypass in dogs: an exploratory study.

Among the various prototype vascular prostheses that have been developed over recent years as small vessel substitutes, the Vascugraft polyurethane device produced by Braun-Melsungen AG has a number of attractive features. As well as having high mechanical compliance similar to that of the arterial tree, it has been manufactured from a specially synthesized poly(ester urethane) with improved biostability and its microfibrous structure provides a highly porous wall with open communicating pores. With a view to evaluating the in vivo biofunctionality and biostability of this prosthesis in the dog, 10 mm diameter grafts were implanted as thoraco-abdominal bypasses for prescheduled periods of 1 months and 12 months, and their performance monitored in terms of gross morphology, histology and the measurement of the chemical and physical properties of the explanted and cleaned specimens. Both grafts were patent at retrieval. Each had a smooth and glistening flow surface without organized mural thrombi and showed the development of a thin collagenous internal capsule with the presence of endothelial-like cells. Both grafts were well encapsulated externally and revealed a small distal bend or kink which is frequently observed by any thoraco-abdominal bypass in dogs. The fresh explanted prostheses were cleaned by a new enzyme treatment which provided specimens for microscopic, mechanical and thermal analyses, as well as studies of the surface and bulk chemistry. By comparing the results from the explanted and cleaned material with those of the virgin prosthesis, we have observed some deterioration in the integrity of the microfibrous structure, some loss in mechanical performance, marginal changes in molecular weight, and an apparent microphase separation of the hard and soft segment domains at a depth of a few microns. While the biofunctionality of a 10 mm calibre device has been demonstrated, additional in vivo studies are recommended to assess the biofunctionality at different diameters and the biostability over longer periods of implantation.

Histopathologic findings in synthetic and biologic explanted grafts used in peripheral arterial reconstruction.

Surgically explanted vascular grafts, including 47 autografts, 14 allografts, 103 chemically processed human umbilical vein (HUV) grafts, and 406 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts, were studied histopathologically. Autografts, HUV, and PTFE grafts were implanted mostly in the femoropopliteal position, whereas allografts were used as a blood access for hemodialysis. The main cause for explantation in autografts (53.6%), HUV (74.8%), and PTFE (61.3%) was thrombosis, whereas allograft failure was usually related to aneurysmal degeneration (72.7%). The infection rates of HUV (20.9%) and PTFE (25%) grafts were higher than those of autografts (4.8%) and allografts (9.1%). Furthermore, bacterial colonization occurred more frequently in HUV (63.9%) and PTFE (64.7%) than in autografts (6.7%) and allografts (0%). Leukocyte infiltration was detected mostly in HUV (39.4%) and PTFE (27%) explants. Autografts and allografts both showed a 7.1% rate of lipid uptake, whereas lipid retention was observed in 84.9% of HUV and 79.8% of PTFE grafts. These results suggest that biologic vascular grafts are to be used preferentially in small diameter arterial reconstruction because of their resistance to bacterial colonization and lipid uptake.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene arterial prostheses in humans: histopathological study of 298 surgically excised grafts.

The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prosthesis is considered to be the best synthetic alternative for peripheral arterial reconstruction. Most studies on the healing characteristics of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses have been carried out on animals, and very few data are available on prosthesis implanted in humans long term. We implanted 298 expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts as arterial substitutes in humans. The mean duration of implantation was 523 d and the grafts were implanted mainly for infrainguinal or axillofemoral bypass. The cellular and collagen infiltration of the microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene structure was generally poor. Infiltration occurred mainly in the external region of the prosthetic wall and increased with the duration of implantation. The external reinforcement was not a major factor in limiting tissue infiltration. The luminal surfaces were covered with a thin, irregular layer of organized fibrin, interspersed with exposed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene areas. Mineral deposits were observed in five cases. Despite poor healing, the clinical performance of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prostheses is relatively good. Since the chief advantage of this material is good mechanical stability in vivo, any modifications of the graft to improve healing characteristics or thrombogenic properties should not be made at the expense of stability in vivo.

T lymphocyte modification with the UTA microporous polyurethane vascular prosthesis: in vivo studies in rats.

Sequential quantification of blood T cell subsets by immunocytofluorometry was used to investigate the immune response of microporous polyurethane vascular prostheses after intraperitoneal implantation in rats. The experimental prosthesis, as developed by the University of Texas-Arlington group (UTA), and the Mitrathane prosthesis, as developed by Matrix Med., were implanted for 1, 2 and 6 weeks and compared with ePTFE and wounded rats without prostheses (control group). The implants were examined for histopathology by light microscopy. The percentages of CD4-(helper) and CD8-(suppressor) bearing cells of the PTFE group were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than the control group 1 week post-implantation. The UTA and the Mitrathane grafts exhibited a significant decrease in both T cell subsets at 1 week, and CD4-bearing cells at 2 weeks. At 6 weeks, T cell subsets were similar among all groups. The ratio of CD4/CD8- cells was similar among all groups except for the PTFE group, which was lower than the control group after 1 week. Histological examination of Mitrathane and UTA grafts showed an acute phase of inflammation which lasted at least 2 weeks. Some foreign body giant cells (FBGC) were present 2 weeks post-implantation, and encapsulation was greater than that observed with PTFE grafts. On the other hand, PTFE grafts exhibited a different pattern of inflammation compared to polyurethane grafts. PTFE implants exhibited a moderate chronic inflammatory response for the first week, as shown by the formation of FBGC. At 2 and 6 weeks, the grafts were encapsulated by a thin layer of collagenous tissue and FBGC were still present around the implants, mostly located in contact with the reinforcing mesh.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)